Record card memories



May 10, 1966 J. w. HASKELL RECORD CARD MEMORIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed April 26, 1962 15(CIRCUIT PATTERN) lNl/E/VTOR JOHN W.HASKELL BYM May 10, 1966 J. w. HASKELL RECORD CARD MEMORIES 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 26, 1962 47(BASE) I EEtEFJ UEttttttttt 49(BASE PAD) 55 (CARD PAD) 54(CARD) FlG.2b

' May 10, 1966 J. w. HASKELL 3,251,043

RECORD CARD MEMORIES Original Filed April 26, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 61(BASE) 73(CARD) FIG.30 75 United States Patent Ofiice 1 3,251,043Patented May 10, 1966 3,251,043 RECORD CARD MEMORIES John W. Haskell,Endwell, N.Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation,Armonk, N.Y., a corporation of New York Continuation of application Ser.No. 190,292, Apr. 26,

1962. This application Nov. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 414,513 Claims. (Cl.340-173) This is a continuation of my copending application Serial No.190,292, filed April 26, 1962, and now abandoned. v

This invention relates ,to semi-permanent read-only memories and inparticular to record card memory systems.

In computing machines, it is frequently desired to have data storedtherein which data is not subject to frequent alteration but which mustbe available for entry into the machine computations in extremely shortaccess time. Such data has in the prior art, for example, been enteredby means of preset electrical switches or by block boards. In suchapplications, it is the desired criteria that the date contained in thestorage apparatus be instantly available upon the demand of thecomputer, that the data be contained in a compact and economicalstructure, and that the data be changeable but not necessarilychangeable on the control of the computer. The foregoing type of datamemories are the so-called semi-permanent readonly type; it is a'maincriteria that the format of readonly memories be variable at the will ofthe operator or in response to the desired operation, addressing scheme,or output code desired. 7

Semi-permanent read only memories, for example, are particularly usefulin code converters to convert an input signal in a first code to anoutput in a second code; then in the event an output is desired which isin a third code, a different semi-permanent read-only memory is providedto convert from the first code to the third code.

Marked or punched records have been demonstrated to be adaptable anduseful in semi-permanent memories.

Accordingly, it is 'a principal object of the present invention toprovide an improved read-only memory employing marked or perforatedrecords wherein a plurality of marks or perforations have intelligiblesignificance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a read-onlymemory having improved energy coupling means. 1

It is another object of the present invention to provide a read-onlymemory having improved means for capacitive energy coupling.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedread-only memory in which a record card functions as one electrode of acapacitor to provide capacitive coupling for signal energy.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved read-only memory in which a record card provides a capacitivecoupling between the input and output portions of a circuit comprising apattern of conductive elements.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedread-only memory which is relatively simple and inexpensive inconstruction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a readonly memory isprovided having a base or substrate on which is formed an etched circuitin a suitable pattern of rows and columns of conductive material, aninsulating material is placed over the etched circuit, and a record cardhaving conductive circuit pattern formed thereon is positioned over theinsulating material. The card circuit pattern is formed in rows andcolumns and is arranged to mate with the circuit formed on the base.Marks or perforations are formed or punched on said card and arerepresentative of intelligible code information.

A signal applied to selected ones of the conductive columns on the basecouples capacitively to the conductive rows formed on the card. Thesignal is then connected electrically through said card rows to theoutput portion of the card whence the signal is coupled capacitively frothe card rows to the rows on the base. At those points where, forexample, perforations have been formed on the cards, there will be nocapacitive coupling between the base column and the card row; hence, nooutput will be'obtained at this juncture. By selectively coding themarks or perforations on the card, an intelligible data output isobtained.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric, partly exploded, view of one embodiment of theinvention showing the base or substrate, an insulative film, and arecord card positioned adjacent the base to show the correspondence ofthe pattern on the base to the patternon the card.

FIG. 1a is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded end view partly in crosssection, of a base, the associated card and the insulative film of FIG.1.

FIG. 1b is an isometric view showing the positioning, in an operativerelation, of the card, the film, and the base of the embodiment of FIG.1.

FIG. 2 is an isometric, partly exploded view, similar to FIG. 1, showinganother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2a is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded end view, partly in crosssection, of a base, the associated card, and the film of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2b is an enlarged, fragmentary front view of the embodiment of FIG.2.

FIG. 3 is an isometric, partly exploded view, similar to FIG. 1, showinganother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3a is an enlarged, fragmentary end view, partly in cross section,of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1a and 1b, one embodiment of the card capacitormemory comprises an insulating base or substrate 11 of any suitableknown type such as, for

example, glass epoxy. For purposes of rigidity in con-' struction andelectrical grounding, a sheet of copper 12 is affixed to one face ofbase 11. A photo-etched circuit 13, for example copper, is formed on thebase 11 in a designated pattern of vertical columns and horizontal rowsas will be described. The pattern of circuit 13 includes a .group ofhorizontal conductive strips 15 connected by respective conductive lines17 to terminals 19. In the one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there aretwelve strips -15. The pattern of circuit 13 also includes a group ofconductive pads 21 formed in rows and columns. Pads 21 are connected incolumns by conductive lines 23; that is, all the pads in a column areconnected through the associated line 23 to a terminal 27. In theembodiment shown, there are 64 columns of these conductive pads 21 withtwelve pads in each column.

A thin plastic insulative film 35 is positioned over the conductivepattern 13 of base 11.

A record card 29 has a conductive pattern 32 formed thereon whichpattern is arranged to mate with substrate pattern 13. Record card 29can be of any suitable size and shape; for one practical embodiment, aregular size (3%" x 7%") Hollerith type card has been employed. Thepattern 32 on card 29 includes a'group of strips 31; each of the strips31 is formed of a conductive material such as silver paint or conductiveink, and each of the strips 31 is connected to a conductive row line 34,which may be formed of the same conductive material. Pattern 32 alsoincludes a group of conductive pads 33, of the same material as strips31, which extend from line 34 and form a horizontal (as oriented inFIG. 1) comblike pattern with line 34; line 34 forming the top of thecomb. As indicated above, strips 31 and pads 33 on card 29 are arrangedto mate with the strips and pads 21, respectively, of the base pattern13; this is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1b.

Card 29 has perforations or holes formed therein as by punching, whichholes are representative of suitable coded intelligible information tobe processed.

An input signal can be coupled to terminals 19 and the output obtainedon terminals 27 or vice versa. In either case, the operation of thestructure of the invention is similar, as will now be described.

Assume that the coded input signal'is electrically coupled to baseterminals 27 to energize selected ones of the column lines 23; the basepads 21 connected to the selected lines 23 will be energized. Thisenergy on the base pads 21 will capacitively couple through the film tothe respective mating card pads 33 when it will couple electricallythrough lines 34 to the card strips 31. From strips 31, the energy willbe capacitively coupled to the strips 15 on base 11, and thence will becoupled electrically through base lines 17 to base terminals 19.

Intelligible coded information from terminals 27 is translated orconverted to a desired coded output signal by punching holes 30 in acoded pattern into card 29, that is, by forming perforations inselectedpads 33 of card 29. Wherever a card pad 33 is perforated topartially or completely remove thepad, there will be little or nocapacitive coupling from a base pad 21 to the associate card pad 33.Thus, the coded input signal coupled to base terminals 27 is translatedas determined by the perforated coding in card 29, and then is coupledout through base terminals 19.

Note that a capacitive means, that is a capacitor is provided by eachpad 21 on base 11 which forms one electrode of the capacitor, the film35 which forms the insulative medium of the capacitor, and theassociated pad 33 on card 29 which forms the other electrode of thecapacitor. At any point where the pads 33, or a portion of pads 33, arepunched or removed, one elec trode of the capacitor is removed such thatthe capacitive coupling is essentially eliminated at that point.

As indicated above, the input signals can be applied to terminals 19 andthe output signals are obtainable from terminals 27; the operation ofthe structure will be similar to that described above. Morespecifically, in this instance, the input signal coupled to terminals 19will connect electrically through base lines 17 to base strips 15; theenergy will capacitively couple from base strips 15 to the associatedcard strips 31 when it will couple electrically through the respectivecard lines 34 to the associated card pads 33. From card pads33 theenergy will couple capacitively to base pads 21 and thence it willcouple electrically through base column lines 23 to the outputterminals. As noted, perforations 30 formed on the selected card pads 33will prevent capacitive coupling at selected points to thus representintelligible coded information.

A- second embodiment of my invention is shown in FIG. 2. The embodimentof FIG. 2 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, but differs from FIG.1 in the fact that a conductive row line pattern 42 is formed on oneface of an insulative film 41.

The conductive circuit pattern onbase 47 comprises a plurality of pads49 connected to column lines 51. The pads 49 form a vertical (asoriented in FIG. 2) comblike pattern with the associated line 51; line51 forms the solid or connecting edge of the comb and connects to arespective terminal 53.

The pattern 42 on film 41 comprises conductive pads 43 connected torespective conductive row lines 44. The pads 43 forma horizontal (asoriented in FIG. 2) comblike pattern with the line 44; line 44 formingthe top of the comb and connecting to a respective terminal 45. Thepattern 42 on film 41 is arranged such that the film pads 43 arepositioned intermediate the columns of pads 49, as shown in enlargeddetail in FIG. 2b, and which will be described hereinbelow.

The circuit pattern 58 on card 54 is formed of conductive ink arrangedas separate, distinct conductive pads 55 positioned in rows and columns.As shown in FIG. 2b, each card pad 55 (indicated by the dot-dash linesin FIG. 2b) overlays a respective base pad 49, and a respective film pad43. Perforations or holes 56, representative of coded data, are formedon card 54; the holes 56 are arranged so as to remove aboutone-half ofthe associated pad 55. For purposes of explanation, only one hole 56 isshown in FIG. 2b.

As shown in FIG. 2a, film 44 is positioned such that its conductivepattern 42 comprising pads 43 and lines 44 is juxtaposed to the cardpattern 58 comprising pads 55.

In operation, the signal may be electrically coupled from the baseterminals 53, to the base lines 51, and to base pads 49. Base pads 49capacitively couple through the film 41 to the pads 55 on card 54. Notethat card pads 55 are of a size to be superpositioned on the associatedbase pad 49 and the associated film pad 43. The energy capacitivelycoupled to card pads 55 is electrically connected from card pads 55 tothe row pads 43 on film 41 and through line 44 on film 41 to terminals45 also on film 41. To provide coded data signal, holes 56 are punchedin card 54; each hole removes about one-half of a selected pad 55; thiswill remove one electrode of the capacitor, as discussed above, tointerrupt any signal coupling at that point.

As in the case of FIG. 1, the input signal energy may be coupled to filmterminals 45 and the energy translated through the card system of FIG.2, and the output may be obtained at base terminals 53; in either case,the operation is similar.

A third embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a andcomprises a base 6'1on one side of which is formed a pattern 62 ofconductive pads 63 arranged in columns and rows, and conductive lines 67formed intermediate each of the rows of pads. Each of the pads 63 has ahole 65 formed therethrough; each hole 65, that is the periphery of eachhole, is metallized or plated with a conductive material for purposes tobe described hereinbelow. Lines 67 each connect through respectiveconductive leads 68 to a respective terminal 69. On the opposite face ofthe base 61, columns of conductive lines 71 connect to respectiveterminals 72. Each of the metallized holes 65 formed on pads 63, that isthe metallized periphery of the 'holes, connects to one of the columnlines 71.

The card 73 used in conjunction with base 61 has formed thereon apattern 74 comprising a plurality of conductive pads 75 arranged in ahorizontal (as oriented in FIG. 3) comb-like pattern; line 77 forms thesolid edge of the comb.

An insulative film 78 is positioned over the conductive pattern 62 ofbase 61.

In operation, input signal energy connected to base terminals 69 iscoupled electrically through leads 68 to lines 67. This signal energycouples capacitively from base lines 67 to the associated conductivelines 77 on card 73 and the respective card pads 75. Thence, the signalenergy is capacitively coupled from the pads 75 to the associated pads63 on base 61. The signal energy is then electrically coupled throughthe metallized hole 65 to the other side or opposite face of the base 61and thence to the associated column lines 71 and terminals 72. When nocoupling is desired at a given point, a hole 56 is punched in card 73such that about one-half of the desired selected pad 75 is removed toeliminate one electrode of the coupling capacitor as discussed above.

As in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment of FIG. 3 isbi-directional, that is, the input signal energy may also be connectedto terminals 72 and the output taken from terminals 69; the operation ofthe circuit is similar in either case.

Note that in FIG. 3, a firs-t capacitive coupling is obtained betweenbase line 67 and card line 77, and a second capacitive coupling isobtained between card pads 75 and base pads 63.

In a modification of the structure of FIG. 3, the film 78 may be trimmedto remove those portions of the insulative film 78 which overlie thebase conductive lines 67; this is indicated by the dot-dash lines 80shown on film 78 adjacent the top row line 67. (So as not to clutter thedrawing, the dot-dash lines on film 78 are not shown adjacent the otherlines 67.) Thus, the lines 77 on card 73 can make direct electricalcontact with the respective lines 67 on base 61. In this modification ofthe structure of FIG. 3, the capacitive coupling means between line 67on base 61 and line 77 on card 73 is changed to direct electricalcoupling.

If the capacitive coupling between a base line 67 and an associated cardline 77 is indicated as C1, and the capacitive coupling between card.pads 75 and the associated base pads 63 is indicated as C2; and,assuming that C1=C2, then since the capacitors are essentially inseries, the addition of the two series capacities results in C1 C2C'1+C' 2 2 By eliminating one of the capacity coupling means, say Cl asindicated in the foregoing modification, the coupling capacitive will beC2 instead of 02/2. Thus, the capacity signal coupling may be doubled.

Alternatively, instead of removing those portions of the film 78 whichoverlie row line 67, the portions of the film 78 which overlie the basepads 63 may be removed. In this instance, the capacitive couplingbetween base pads 63 and card pads 75 is changed to electrical coupling.The capacity coupling will be doubled similarly as discussed in thepreceding paragraph.

It has been found that the conductive patterns of pads on the cards ofthe various embodiments may be made by electrographic (conductive lead)pencil. In such cases, intelligible information may be readilyentered'by writing in, or erasing selected pads.

In the record card memories of the invention, the signal-to-noise ratiois a function of the electrical load and of the electrical drive;however, for relative evaluation purposes, the structures of FIGS. 1, 2and 3 were compared. With a given load and drive, the structures ofFIGS. 1 and 2 provided about a 4 to 1 signal-to-noise ratio; with thesame given load and drive, the structure of FIG. 3 provided about an 8to 1 signal-tomoise ratio, that is, there is less residual coupling andtherefore, less noise generated in the structure of FIG. 3. This isbelieved due principally to the greater separation between the row linesand column lines in the structure of FIG. 3 as will now be explained.

Note that in each of the structures of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, energy tends totransfer from lines extending in one direction to lines extending in asecond direction; more specifically from column lines to row lines andvice versa. For example, in FIG. '1, assume the base column lines 23 areenergized; energy will tend to be capacitively coupled or transferredfrom the energized column lines 23 to the card row lines 34 at each ofthe points where a column line crosses a row line. Similarly in thestructure of FIG. 2, the base column lines 51, when energized, will tendto capacitively couple energy to the row lines 44 on film 41 at each ofthe respective cross over points. In the structure of FIG. 3, the baserow lines 67, when energized, will tend to capacitively couple to thebase column lines 7 1 at the cross over points.

Referring to FIG-2b, the cross over points of row lines 44 formed onfilm 41 and the column lines 51 formed on base 47 are separated by thethickness of film 41, or about .002 inch. Where a hole 56 is punched inthe card, there is to be no signal coupling; however, there will stillbe a residual coupling at point A between the column line 5 1 on base 47and the row line 44 on film 41, which will in effect, develop a noisesignal.

In the structure of FIG. 1, the column lines 23 formed on base 11 andthe row lines 34 formed on card 29 are separated by film 35. Thus, thesame relative separation exists between the row and column line crossover points of the structure of FIG. 1 as in the structure of FIG. 2.

In the structure of FIG. 3, and as noted above, the row lines 67 areformed on one face of base 61 and the column lines 71 are formed on theopposite face of base 61 such that the thickness of the base 61separates the two groups of lines. 'In the embodiment of FIG. 3, thethickness of base 61 is .062 inch; hence, the separation of the crossover points is much greater than in the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2.Consequently, there is less residual coupling between the column and rowlines; and, therefore, relatively less noise is generated in thestructure of FIG. 3 than in the structures of FIGS. 1 and 2. However,the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 are at present more economical tomanufacture and, where lower signa1to-noise ratios are acceptable, thesestructures may be preferable.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understoodbythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A memory device comprising:

first means having a first pattern of conductive pads provided thereon,and having input terminals and output terminals for receiving inputsignals and delivering output signals, respectively;

a record card having a pattern of conductive pads arranged tosubstantially overlie respective ones of the pads of said first pattern;

insulative means interposed between the respective patterns on saidfirst means and said card;

capacitive coupling means formed by each of the pads of said firstpattern constituting one electrode of a capacitor, each of theassociated pads on said record card constituting the other electrode ofthe respective capacitor, and the insulative means constituting thedielectric between the capacitor electrodes so as to provide a separatesingle capacitor at each point where the respective pads of the firstmeans and card overlie each other;

said card having perforations at selected pads for effectively removingcorresponding one capacitor electrodes for eliminating said capacitivecoupling means at said selected pads, and

means'for transmitting input signals from said first means to aselectable group of conductive pads on said card in bypass of saidinsulative means by direct electrical coupling to cause output signalsto be transmitted to said output terminals only at those locations wherethe said one capacitor electrodes remain intact and thus permitcapacitive coupling back to said first means.

2. In a memory unit having a plurality of capacitors arranged 'in acoordinate array of rows and columns, the combination of one meansproviding a plurality of first conductors electrically insulated fromeach other and each connected in parallel to respective one plates ofthe capacitors in a particular row,

other means providing a plurality of second conductors electricallyinsulated from each other and each serial- 7 ly connecting therespective other plates of the capacitor in a particular column,non-conductive means disposed between said one plates and other platesto constitute the dielectric for such capacitors, separate pluralitiesof input terminals and output terminals provided on said other means,

means directly electrically coupling each input terminal to acorresponding one of said first conductors, and means directlyelectrically coupling each output terminal to a corresponding one ofsaid second conductors, preselected ones of said one plates beingremoved at selected coordinate points to prevent capacitive coupling atsuch points to thereby denote a binary 0, whereby a signal applied to aninput terminal on said other means will be transmitted to thecorresponding first conductor by direct electrical contact and thence inparallel by capacitive coupling through all associated unremoved oneplates in said one means back to said other means for transmission viathe appropriate other plates and second conductors to the correspondingoutput terminals.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said one means is arecord having a size generally similar to that of a conventionaltabulating card and the said one plates of the respective capacitorshave a spacing and layout comparable to that between respective bitpositions on such a card to enable removal of said one plates by thesame equipment as is used to punch such conventional tabulating cards.4. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said one means is aperforatable record that is removable from the unit without damagebecause electric-al coupling is effected by direct abutting contactWithout need for physical detachment from electrical circuitry. 5. Amemory unit, comprising, in combination, two non-conducting elementsproviding substantially planar adjacent surfaces, parallel conductivelines provided on said surface of one of said elements, one group ofconductive pads extending laterally in parallel from each such line,each pad constituting one plate of a respective capacitor, otherparallel conductive lines provided on the other of said elements, eachline extending substantially orthogonally to the first-mentionedconductive lines for electrically interconnecting a respective othergroup of conductive pads provided on the other of said surfaces andconstituting the respective other plates of corresponding capacitors, aunique capacitor being formed where distinctive pads of eachgroupoverlie each other, insulating means separating the pads of saidone group from those of the other group to constitute the dielectric forsaid capacitors, input terminals and output terminals provided on saidother element for receiving input signals and delivering output signals,respectively, each output terminal being directly electrically connectedto a correspond ing other conductive line, and a plurality of similarmeans each providing direct electrical coupling of a unique one of saidfirst-mentioned conductive lines with a corresponding unique inputterminal, preselected ones of said pads on said one element beingperforated to eifectively remove the capacitor plate constitutedthereby, to prevent capacitive coupling through the latter plate andthus denote a binary state opposite that denoted when such coupling ispermitted through such plate, whereby an input signal applied to aninput terminal on said other element will be transmitted via theappropriate similar means to the corresponding conductive line on saidone element and thence in parallel, via capacitive coupling at thepoints where pads are unperforated, back to the corresponding conductivelines and associated output terminals provided on said other element,thereby to provide coded binary outputs corresponding to the pattern ofpreselected perforations provided in said one element.

6. A memory device comprising, in combination:

two non-conducting members normally held together and having respectiveone portions with conductive areas making direct abutting electricalcontact with each other, and respective other portions each with a gridarrangement of overlying conductive pads defining the respective platesof a plurality of capacitors;

one set of parallel conductive lines on one of said members, each linelinking all pads along such line, and each such line being directlyelectrically connected to a respective one of said conductive areas onsaid one member;

another set of parallel conductive lines provided on the other memberand arranged orthogonally to those of said one set, each such linelinking all pads therealong, and such lines being electricallydisconnected from said areas of said other member;

insulating means interposed between the respective other portions, butnot said conductive areas, on the respective members so as to constitutethe dielectric for the respective capacitors; and

a group of input terminals for receiving input signals and a group ofoutput signals for delivering output signals, both groups being providedexclusively on said other member,

each terminal of one of said groups being directly electricallyconnected to a corresponding different conductive area on said othermember, and

each terminal of the other group being directly electrically connectedto a corresponding different conductive line on said other member;

preselected ones of said pads on said one member being effectivelyremoved at selected points according to a predetermined pattern of codedinformation to prevent capacitive coupling at said points to denote abinary state opposite that denoted when capacitive coupling ispermitted, thereby to provide a coded binary ouput corresponding to saidpattern.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the terminals of saidone group are the input terminals and those of said other group are theoutput terminals,

whereby an input signal applied to a selected input terminal will betransmitted by direct electrical coupling from said other member to saidone member and thence along the corresponding conductive line thereonand in parallel, by capacitive coupling at those places where pads alongsaid line remain intact, back to the corresponding conductive lines andassociated output terminals provided on said other member.

8. A memory device comprising, in combination:

a first member having a plurality of conductive pads connected inparallel to a plurality of parallel arranged conductive lines;

a second member having a plurality of conductive pads arranged tosubstantially overlie the pads of said first member and interconnectedby conductive lines arranged substantially orthogonally to the saidlines of said first member;

said members having a plurality of respective conductive areas,corresponding conductive areas of each member being directlyelectrically coupled to each other, and each conductive area of eachmember be ing directly electrically coupled with a respective conductiveline of that same member;

insulating means separating the conductive lines and pads of saidmembers from each other so as to constitute the dielectric for aplurality of distinctive capacitors each having two plates defined bythe respective overlying pads of said members;

preselected ones of the pads on one of said members being efiectivelyremoved to prevent capacitive coupling at selected coordinate pointsaccording to a desired pattern of binary coded information;

the other of said members having input terminals and output terminals towhich input signals are applied and from which output signals are taken,respectively,

whereby an input signal applied to a selected input terminal of saidother member will be directly electrically coupled to said one membervia the associated conductive areas on said members and thencecapacitively coupled via the energized conductive line and associatedpads of said one member back to said other member at those coordinatepoints Where such associated pads have not been removed, to provide abinary coded output including a binary l where capacitive couplingoccurs and a binary where such coupling is prevented, and enable inputand output signals to be exclusively applied to and taken from saidother member to facilitate spearation of said one member from said othermember.

9. A memory device comprising:

a base;

a pattern of conductive pad groupings formed on one face of said base;

a conductive line formed on said one base face adjacent each of saidpads in said first grouping;

each of said pads having a metallized hole formed therein which extendsthrough said base from one face to the opposite face;

other conductive lines on said opposite face electrically connectingeach of said holes formed in second groupings of pads;

a record card having a pattern of conductive pad groupings formedthereon and arranged to mate with the respective pads on said base;

conductive lines on said card for electrically connecting each of thepads in first groupings;

said record card being perforated at selected pads to provideintelligible coded information;

an insulative film interposed between said base and said card toconstitute the dielectric between separate distinctive capacitors, therespective plates of which are defined by mating pads on the base andcard; and

means providing direct electrical contact between selected parts of saidbase and card adjacent said film,

whereby signal energy applied to one of said conductive lines in saidbase will be directly electrically coupled to the conductive lines onthe card, then capacitively coupled back to the other conductive linesin said base via the unperforated card pads, corresponding base pads andmetallized holes.

10. A memory device comprising:

a non-conductive base;

a pattern of conductive pads formed on one face of said base andarranged in rows and columns;

conductive lines formed on said one base face adjacent each row of pads;

each of said pads having a metallized hole formed therein extendingthrough said base from one face to the opposite face;

other conductive lines on said opposite face for electrically connectingsaid holes in columns;

a record card having a pattern of conductive pads formed in rows andcolumns and arranged to mate with the respective pads on said base;

conductive lines on said card for electrically connecting said card padsin rows;

said record card being perforated at selected pad positions to provideintelligible coded information;

an insulative film interposed between said base and said card toconstitute the dielectric between separate distinctive capacitors, therespective plates of which are defined by mating pads on the base andcard;

whereby signal energy may be electrically coupled from one of theconductive lines on said base to the associated conductive row line onsaid card, capacitively coupled via the associated unperforated cardpads to the corresponding base pads, then electrically coupled via saidmetallized holes to said other conductive lines on said base astranslated coded information.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCESJ. Van Goethem: The Capacitive Semi-Permanent Information Store and itsUses in Telephone Exchanges, Proceedings of IEE Supplement 20 Pt. B. B.vol. No. 7,

MacPherson & York: Semi-Permanent Storage by Capacitive Coupling, IRETransactions on Electronic Computers, September 1961.

BERNARD KONICK, Primary Examiner.

H. D. VOLK, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MEMORY DEVICE COMPRISING: FIRST MEANS HAVING A FIRST PATTERN OFCONDUCTIVE PADS PROVIDED THEREON, AND HAVING INPUT TERMINALS AND OUTPUTTERMINALS FOR RECEIVING INPUT SIGNALS AND DELIVERING OUTPUT SIGNALS,RESPECTIVELY; A RECORD CARD HAVING A PATTERN OF CONDUCTIVE PADS ARRANGEDTO SUBSTANTIALLY OVERLIE RESPECTIVE ONES OF THE PADS OF SAID FIRSTPATTERN; INSULATIVE MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE PATTERNS ONSAID FIRST MEANS AND SAID CARD; CAPACITIVE COUPLING MEANS FORMED BY EACHOF THE PADS OF SAID FIRST PATTERN CONSTITUTING ONE ELECTRODE OF ACAPACITOR, EACH OF THE ASSOCIATED PADS ON SAID RECORD CARD CONSTITUTINGTHE OTHER ELECTRODE OF THE RESPECTIVE CAPACITOR, AND THE INSULATIVEMEANS CONSTITUTING THE DIELECTRIC BETWEEN THE CAPACITOR ELECTRODES SO ASTO PROVIDE A SEPARATE SINGLE CAPACITOR AT EACH POINT WHERE THERESPECTIVE PADS OF THE FIRST MEANS AND CARD OVERLIE EACH OTHER, SAIDCARD HAVING PERFORATIONS AT SELECTED PADS FOR EFFECTIVELY REMOVINGCORRESPONDING ONE CAPACITOR ELECTRODES FOR ELIMINATING SAID CAPACITIVECOUPLING MEANS AT SAID SELECTED PADS, AND MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING INPUTSIGNALS FROM SAID FIRST MEANS TO A SELECTABLE GROUP OF CONDUCTIVE PADSON SAID CARD IN BYPASS OF SAID INSULATIVE MEANS BY DIRECT ELECTRICALCOUPLING TO CAUSE OUTPUT SIGNALS TO BE TRANSMITTED TO SAID OUTPUTTERMINALS ONLY AT THOSE LOCATIONS WHEREB THE SAID ONE CAPACITORELECTRODES REMAIN INTACT AND THUS PERMIT CAPACITIVE COUPLING BACK TOSAID FIRST MEANS.